Expansion-engine.



G. H. REYNOLDS.

EXPANSION ENGINE.

AIPLIGATION FILED MAR. 25, 1907.

1,005,878, Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1- G. H. REYNOLDS.

EXPANSION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.,25, 1907.

1,005,878 Patelited Oct. 17, 1911.

' '1 SHEETS-SHEET 2' W/TNESSES G. H. REYNOLDS.

EXPANSION ENGINE. APPLIGATION FILED MAB. 25,4901.-

Patented Oct. 17,- 1911.

7 sums-51mm a.

WITNESSES- G. H. REYNOLDS.

EXPANSION ENGINE. 7 APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 1997.

Patented Oct. 17,1911.

wanna-sum 4.

W/ TNE SSE S G. H. REYNOLDS. EXPANSION ENGINE. APPLIGATION FILED MAR.25, 1907.

' 1,005;878. Patented Oct. 17,1911.

7 SHEBTS SEBET 5.

WITNESSES G. H. REYNOLDS.

v EXPANSION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1907.

Patented Oct. 17,1911.

7 SHBBTS-SHEET 6,

. k. $3 NW. \w 8 mm A I M Q MA as Q a fimx I h I W/TNESSES G. H.REYNOLDS.

EXPANSION ENGINE.

APPLIOATION IILED MAR. 25, 1907. 1,005,878, Patented 0ct.17,1911.

7 SHEETB-SHBET 7 lnlllllllllll llllllllllllll Q NN M N WITNESSESCOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

errn eras 'ra'rn rte GEORGE E. REYNOLDS, OF MANSFIELD DEPOT,CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO REYNOLDS ICE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

EXPANSION-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Mansfield Depot, county of Tolland, and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement inExpansion-Engines, of which the following is a descrip tion.

This invention relates to expansion engines, and particularly to doubleacting ongines of a type suitable for the expansion of gas and otherfluids used in systems of refrigeration such, for example, as disclosedin my application Serial No. 341,391, filed October 31, 1906, of whichthis application is a division.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: to providean expansion engine having large capacity and capable of respondinginstantly to the de mands of its use; to provide an expansion engine soconstructed as to enable it to be adapted to practically any system orapparatus wherein fluids are handled and first compressed and thenexpanded to enable them to properly perform their functions; to providea double acting expansion engine capable of cooperating with a doubleacting compression mechanism in a refrigerating system of largecapacity; and to provide a double acting valve-mechanism to cooperatewith the double acting expansion chamber, both of which mechanisms arepositive, certain and rapid in their actions and cooperation.

With the above objects in view and others which will be detailed duringthe course of this description, my invention consists in the parts,features, elements and combinations of elements hereinafter describedand claimed.

In order to disclose the several features of my invention, theaccompanying drawings are made a part of the specification, and therein:

Figure 1 is a top-plan view of a refrigerating apparatus showing thedisposition and cooperative relation of my expansion engine; Fig. 2 is arear side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal section of the central por tion of the apparatusshowing the position of the driving-shaft and crank and the conncctionof the latter with the piston driving Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1?, 1911.

Divided and this application filed. March 25,

nal, vertical section of a portion of the valve mechanism shown in Fig.4, the section being taken along a line calculated to disclose thedetails of the connection between the rock-shaft and the reciprocatingframe of the valve; Fig. 9 is a section substantially on the line 99 ofFig. 7 Fig. 10 is a section substantiallyon the line 10-10 of Fig. 7 andFig. 11 is a top-plan view of the valve construction of Fig. 4substantially on the line 1111 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, I have illustrated, for example, a refrigeratingapparatus in which my invention may be employed, in order that itsoperations and functions may be clearly understood, and in order that myinvention may be better comprehended, I will describe, generally, thecombination and operation of the several mechanisms of said apparatuswith reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Vater is employed as a cooling medium for the gas and 1S conveyed to theapparatus by connection with any suitable water-main, plug or spigot,through the water-inlet pipe 1, the pump 2 being employed for causingthe proper circulation of the water through the apparatus, the water,after leaving the pump, being driven through the pipe-connection 3 tothe compressor 4 and from the latterthrough the pipe 5 to thecoolingtank 6 and from the latter through the pipe 7 to the sewer or anysuitable drain. The compression chamber 4 has combined therewith aprimer-pump mechanism which is illustrated only by the smallpipeconnection 8, F lg. 1, tapped into the return-pipe of theair-circulating system at the point indicated by 9, the other end ofsaid primer-pump being tapped into the compression cylinder at 10, inorder to illustrate that the compression cylinder may be primarilysupplied with air and thereafter constantly supplied with air, in orderto keep up the volume of gas or other circulating medium. The air or gason leaving the compression tank passes through the pipe or conduit 11into the cooling-tank 6 and through coils of pipe therein, passingtherefrom through the conduit 12 to the expansion chamber 13, thencepassing through the conduit 14 to the cold room or other place or pointof refrigeration. After accomplishing its work in the cold room, the airor gas passes through the return conduit 16 to the compression chamber4, where it is again compressed and compelled to reperform its work.lVith this general statement of the character of the apparatus, and itsprinciple or mode of operation, the several details of my presentinvention will be readily understood from the following detaildescription:

General arrangemeat.-Viewing Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the juxtaposition of theseveral parts of the refrigerating apparatus and the relation of thesame to my invention, and the manner in which the several mechanisms arecombined in order to form a simple and compact refrigerating apparatuswill be seen and understood; and, particularly, referring to thesefigures, the main frame is indicated by 17 and centrally supports theframing 18, upon which is mounted a motor 19. The main frame 17 alsosupports pillow-blocks or journal-bearings 20, in which thedriving-shaft 21 is' supported and 0perates, which shaft carries at oneend the driving-wheel 22 which may, if desired, be a sprocket-wheeldriven by a sprocket-chain 23. At one end the main frame 17 supports, oris formed into, a frame-structure 24 carrying the compression mechanism4, and upon said frame-structure 24 a superstructure 25 is mounted,which carries the cooling cylinder 6. At the opposite end of the mainframe 17 the latter supports a framestructure 26 which carries theexpansion chamber 13 and its allied valve mechanism. This generaldisposition of parts places the driving-shaft 21 transversely andcentrally of the frame-structure, gives balance and compactness to theseveral devices of the ap paratus, and brings the several essentialmechanisms into intimate relation so as to form a compact and economicalarrangement from which all vibration is practically eliminated. Thisarrangement of parts also places the compression and expansion cylinderssubstantially in the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and enables themto take the direct thrust of the driving-shaft in and along theirlongitudinal axes without vibration or strain upon the apparatus or anyof its mechanisms. Furthermore, by the arrangement just described, ofthe several mechanisms of the apparatus, the long runs of pipe formingthe conduits for-water and gas extend substantially longitudinally ofthe apparatus, thus preventing what little vibration of the apparatusthere may be from being transmitted to the said conduits, and henceavoiding strain upon essential parts and joints of the apparatus. Thisarrangement of the mechanisms and parts of the apparatus is an importantfeature of my invention, and upon its advantages and functions, I desireto lay stress.

The driving-shaft 21 is provided with an eccentric 27 surrounded by astrap, the rod 28 of which is connected to the crank-pin 29 carried bythe arm 30 of the rock-shaft 31. On the outer end of the driving-shaft21, adjacent the eccentric 27 is secured the driving-pulley orsprocket-wheel 32, which drives the chain or belt 33, which, in turn,drives the belt pulley or sprocket-wheel 34 secured to the shaft of thewater-circulating pump 2. The driving-shaft 21 has substantiallycentrally thereof the driving-crank 35, which cooperates, in usualmanner, with a Scotch-yoke 36 in turn cooperating with the frame 37which slides between the guidebars 38 secured to the top and bottom ofthe frame 18. Thus, the frame 37 has reciprocating motion imparted to itby direct thrust from the main shaft and imparts its movements to thepiston rods 39 and 40 of the primer-pump and compression cylinder,respectively, and also to the piston rod 41 of the expansion cylinder,the several piston rods being pivoted to the frame 37 as indicated at 3940 and 41*, respectively. The driving-wheel 22, which may be band orsprocket, communicates movement to the electric motor 19 through themedium of the belt or sprocket-chain 23, which drives the sprocket-wheelor belt-pulley 42 carried by shaft 43 of the motor. My expansion enginewhich is shown, for example, in connection with the refrigeratingapparatus, will now be described.

Ewpcmsz'on me0hcm2'sm.-The expansion chamber and its allied valvemechanism will be clearly understood upon reference to Figs. 4 to 11.The frame 26 of the expansion chamber supports the cylinder 44,

which has one of its ends 45 bolted thereto and provided with thecentrally-recessed hub 46 for the reception of the end of the piston-rod41, the latter carrying a pistonhead 48. Said rod is journaled andslides in the opposite head 49 properly bolted to the cylinder 44, whichhead has applied to it any common form of stuffing-box generallyindicated by 50, which may be found suitable for the purpose offluid-tight packing. The cylinder is arranged in the valveframing andthe heads are bolted to the lat ter, the base of which framing isindicated by 51, having the depending sides 52 and supported on theframe 26. Vertical braces 56, bolted to the base 51 and to the topplate57, support the latter in proper posi-.

tion, this framing thus forming a chamber 58, in which the valvemechanism is located and operates. V The base, a plan of which is shownin Fig. 11, is provided at one end with opposite guide-lugs 59 and atits other end with opposite guide-lugs 60. Between the guidedugs 59 andextending transversely of the base, are two valve openings, one of which61 is narrower than the one 62, and similarly located between the lugs60 at the opposite end of the base are the similar valve-openings 63 and64:. At one side of the base 51, a gas-inlet is provided at 65, whichcommunicates with the chamber 58 through the passage 66, while on theopposite side of the frame, a gas-outlet 67 is provided, whichcommunicates through passages 68 and 69, respectively, with the valveopenings 62 and 6d. The valve-openings G1 and 6d communicate,respectively, with the passages 70 and 71, which enter opposite ends ofthe cylinder 44 throughthe heads 45 and 6L9, respectively.

Within the chamber 58, and cooperating with the passages 61, 62, 68 andG4, is the valve structure consisting of the reciprocat' ing frame 72,having at opposite ends identical valve-heads 78, and one of which onlywill now be described, but to each of which the same referencecharacters will be applied. The body-portion of the valve-head 7 8,slides upon the bottom of the chamber 58, and is guided at its basebetween the opposite lugs 59 of the base 51, said head being provided atits outer end with a plurality of longitudinal slots 7a extendingthrough the same and each of which con verges toward the bottom of thehead and also being provided near its rear end, and in its bottom, withthe chamber 75. Extending across opposite ends of the slots 74-, in thesurface of the head 73, are dove-tail grooves in which operates acut-off slide 7 6, which is provided with a plurality of transverseslots which may cooperate with the slots 74 extending through theforward end of the valve-head. Pivoted to the center of thereciprocating frame 72, as at 77, is the vibrating lever 78, theopposite ends of which are enlarged so as to produce the driving-head79, having at its opposite ends the depending flanges 80, whichcooperate with the slide 7 6 for the purpose of reciprocating the latterin the dove-tail grooves of the head 73, so as to cause the said slide76 to alternately open and close the slots 74 in the forward end of thesaid head. Secured to one of the guides 59 is a cam-block 81, having atits forward end the enlargement 82 provided with an incline, orcamsurface, 88, which cooperates with the adjacent end of thedriving-head 79, for the purpose of causing the latter to move the slide7 6. The cam-block at the opposite end of the valve mechanism isdisposed oppositely to the one just described and, in consequence, itscamincline 82 moves the lever 78 in the opposite direction, the twocam-blocks, in consequence, having the function of moving the twovalve-slides 76 alternately in opposite directions, thus causing thelatter to open and close the passages or slots 74 at the opposite endsalternately. For the purpose of securing the proper cooperation of thecamblocks 81 with the opposite ends of the lever 78, the bolts 84, whichsecure said blocks in place, can be loosened and the adjustingscrew 85set so as to bring the caminclines 83 in proper relation to thecooperating ends of the respective drivingheads 7 9.

in order that the frame 72 may be reciprocated between the pairs ofguides 59 and 60, said frame is provided on opposite sideof the centralpivot 77 with the vertically extending lugs 86 grooved for the purposeof receiving and having slid therein the.

flanged blocks 87 each of which is provided with a socket for thereception of the ball ends 88 of the opposite depending crankarms 89,said sockets, at the top, being open and flared as at 90 to permit theproper movement of the said crank-arms 89, which latter are secured to asleeve 91 splined upon the end of shaft 81, journaled at one end by areduced part 92 in the dome portion 98 of the top-plate 57, said shaft81 being, at its opposite end, journaled in the opposite ends of theoverhanging portion 94 of said top-frame, 57. Proper bushings surroundthe shaft 81 and are supported in the overhanging portion 94: of thetop-plate 57, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, details of saidbushings not being herein set forth, as they form no part of my presentinvention. The outer end of the shaft 31 is re duced as indicated at 95,and has keyed thereon the crankarm 30 through the medium of whichrocking motion is imparted to the shaft 81, as previously described, inorder to rock the crank-arms 89 and reciprocate the slide-frame 72, andat the same time cause the vibration of the lever 7 8 through thecooperation of the drivingheads 79 with the cam-blocks 81. By reason ofthe ball and socket connection between the crankarms 89 and the oppositeslide-blocks 87, ease of motion between the sliding-frame and itsdriving mechanism is permitted and binding of the parts prevented. Asshown in Figs. 2, 8 and 5, the frame of the expansion cylinder, at allthe points where'it is connected to the main-frame, is insulated fromthe latter by heat non-conducting material 96, said material surroundingthe bolts 97, securing the frame parts together, and separating the saidframe parts, as clearly shown. pansion-cylinder frame from the mainframe portions, as just described, is highly essential, as the mainframe parts become,

The insulation of the ex during the operation of the apparatus, verymuch heated and it is important that the heat shall not be transmittedto the expan sion cylinder or its supporting-frame, for the reason thatthe air should go to the coldroom through the conduit 14 with as low atemperature as possible. Therefore, the arrangement shown and describedof insulating material is maintained throughout all the connections ofthe frame 13 to the main frame and other frame portions.

To aid in steadying the operation of the machine at high speed,brace-bars 98 are disposed at opposite sides of the frame and onopposite sides of the pillow-blocks or journal-bearings 20, as shown inFig. 2, said brace-bars being bolted to the base of the pillow-blocks,as at 99, and at their opposite ends to the several frame-structures ofthe apparatus, as at 100.

Operation Having described the details of my invention, as I nowcontemplate the same, the following mode of operation will be readilyunderstood upon reference to the drawings; but, it should be primarilyborne in mind that atmospheric air or other gas can be used as themedium for producing refrigeration or making ice, as the case may be,and that water is the medium used for cooling the gas or for the purposeof extracting heat from the latter at the points where such operation ismost necessary in the apparatus. Electric current being supplied fromany suitable source, the same will be translated to the motor, whichlatter will be caused to rotate and drive the main shaft 21 of theapparatus through the belt or sprocket-chain 23 and the belt orsprocket- .wheel 22. Rotation of the driving-shaft 21 will cause theframe 37 to reciprocate in its guide-ways and reciprocate the severalpis ton'rods 39, 40 and 41, thus bringing into operation theprimer-pump, the compression cylinder and the expansion cylinder. At thesame time, the driving-pulley or sprocket-wheel 32, through the mediumof the belt or chain 34, will actuate the watercirculating pump 2, andthe eccentric 27, pitman 28 and crank-arm 30 will rock the shaft 31,thus operating the valve mechanism of the expansion chamber. Theapparatus may now be considered to be in operation with gas beingsupplied through the medium of the primer-pump to the compressioncylinder and water supplied by the pump 2. The gas entering thecompression chamber 4, will be compressed therein,- said chamber beingdouble acting to correspond and cooperate with the double actingexpansion chamber,-and then escape into the conduit 11 and thence to thecooling chamber 6 where it wall be preliminarily cooled and then passalong the conduit 12 to the compression cylinder 44, entering the latterthrough the valve-chamber 58, which is supplied by the inlet 65 andpassage 66. Reaching the valve-chamber 58, and with the valve mechanismreciprocating as previously described, and assuming the piston and valveto be moving in direction of arrow 0, Fig. 4, the cut-off slide 76, atthe righthand end, will now be open, and the one at the left-hand endwill be closed, the air, in consequence, as the portions a of thevalve-head crosses the upper end of passage 61, and opening the latter,entering the passage 74, in the right-hand valve-head 73, and passingthrough the passages 61 and into the cylinder 44. As this occurs, theportion a; of the valve-head at the left-hand end will cross the top ofpassage 64, thus opening a free way for the escape of the expanded airin the cylinder 44 on the left of piston-head 48, said air passing,under pressure from the piston, through passages 71, 63, chamber 75,passages 64 and 69, and outlet 67, to the conduit 14, and thence toservice or the cold-room. As the piston and valve mechanism return inthe direction opposite that of the arrow 0, the cutoff slide 76, of theleft-hand head 73, will have opened the passages 74 of said head byprevious cooperation of the adjacent cam-block, the same action havingclosed the like passages in the right-hand valve-head; hence, as theportion a of said left-hand valve-head recrosses the top of passage 64,the air in chamber 58 will rush through passages 74, 64, and 71 intocylinder 44 behind pistonhead 48. A reverse action is taking place atthe right-hand end as the passages 70, 61,

chamber 75, and passages 62 and 68 to outlet 67 are opened to permit theescape of the expanded air in front of the piston-head 48. Thus, foreach movement of the piston and valve mechanism, air is expanded andpassed to service, the expansion mechanism being, in consequence, doubleacting and cooperative with the double acting compression mechanism soas to keep up the efliciency and capacity of the apparatus which,obviously, is double that of ordinary apparatus of like character.Leaving the coldroom, the gas will pass through the conduit 16 to thecompression cylinder, entering the same as before explained andcirculating through the apparatus as described, the gas being, .inconsequence, alternately compressed and expanded so as to properlyperform its work and, after compression, being cooled and passed to theexpansion chamber, where its temperature is reduced, for its work in thecold-room.

From the above detail description of the apparatus and the mode ofoperation of the latter as just set forth, it will be obvious that thefollowing, in addition to those already incidentally set forth, areamong the advantages of my invention a compact, comparativelyinexpensive, highly effective, powerful and large capacity expansionengine is produced by arranging the motor asdescribed with reference tothe driving-shaft of the apparatus and distributing the compressioncooling and expansion mechanisms as set forth, a well-balanced apparatusis produced which, during its operation, will be substan tially withoutvibration or jar and will be light and smooth running; the valvemechanism is simple in construction, positive in its operation,effective in its action and capable of sustaining high speed withoutlosing any of its effectiveness or positiveness in operation; bycombining the reciproacting frame 37 with the driving-shaft asdescribed, and coupling the several pistons therewith, as shown, thedriving-shaft and the drivingframe are enabled, by direct thrust, toimpart to the several piston-rods positive and direct movements withabsolutely no drag or twisting strains upon either the several pistons,or the said frame and shaft, and the arrangement of parts shown and described produces a distribution of power and motion in suchwise as tominimize vibration in the apparatus, irrespective of the speed of thelatter; and, by the compact arrangement of the several devices ormechanisms of the apparatus and the balanced disposition thereof, thesingle drivingshaft is enabled to operate directly and positively allthe various elements or mechanisms constituting the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. An expansion engine having an expansion chamber, the lattercomprising a cylinder and a piston mechanism; iii-combination with avalve chamber cooperating therewith; passages between the cylinder andchamber; a valve mechanism cooperating with the passages; saidvalvemechanism comprising a reciprocating head having a chamber in itsbottom, a portion for cooperating with one of said passages, and aplurality of passages therethrough; a slide for opening and closing saidpassages in the head; and means for reciprocating the slide.

2. An expansion engine having an expansion chamber, the lattercomprising a cylinder; in combination with a valve chamber cooperatingtherewith; passages between the cylinder and chamber; a valve mechanismcooperating with the passages; said valve mechanism comprising a headhaving a plurality of slots therethrough; a cut-off slide for openingand closing said slots; a vibrating lever cooperating with said slide;cams cooperating with the lever; and means for actuating the frame andlever.

3. An expansion engine having an expan sion chamber, the lattercomprising a cylinder; in combination with a valve chamber cooperatingtherewith; passages between the cylinder and chamber; a valve mechanismcooperating with the passages; said valve mechanism consisting of areciprocating frame; a lever pivoted thereon so as to vibratetransversely thereof; a valve head carried by the frame; a cut-off slidecarried by the head; a driving head carried by the lever cooperatingwith the slide; cams cooperating with the lever; and means forreciprocating the frame. 7

4:. An expansion engine having an expansion chamber, the lattercomprising a cylinder; in combination with a valve chamber cooperatingtherewith; passages between the cylinder and chamber; a valve mechanismcooperating with the passages; said valve mechanism comprising a headhaving a plurality of slots therethrough; a cut-off slide for openingand closing said slots; a vibrating lever cooperating with said slide;cams cooperating with the lever; and means for actuating the frame andlever.

5. An expansion engine having an expansion chamber,'the lattercomprising a cylder and a piston mechanism; in combination with a valvechamber cooperatingtherewith; passages between the cylinder and chamber;a valve mechanism cooperating with the passages; said valve mechanismconsisting of a reciprocating frame; a valve head carried thereby; acut-off slide mechanism carried by the frame; and means forreciprocating the frame comprising a crankshaft; a crank-arm thereoncooperating with the frame; a driving shaft; an eccentric thereon; andconnections between the eccentric and the rock-shaft for actuating thelatter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE H. REYNOLDS.

WVitnesses CHAS. MoC. CHAPMAN, M. Hnssxovrrz.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

